Short Circuits

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Breaker trips can arise when either your electrical system or one of the appliances you are using has a short. It can be painstaking in some homes, but you can track down where the short is. Again, make sure your appliance cords are in good shape.

Unplug and turn off every electrical light or appliance. Turn off the power at your service panel, reset all the switches, then turn the power back on; if the circuit trips immediately, then the short is in your house wiring.

To figure out if the short is in an appliance, turn the power on and plug each one in or turn them on one by one to figure it out by process of elimination.

Circuit breakers perform an important safety task. And don't forget to keep a flashlight handy - especially if your electrical panel is in the basement.